Each of these boats deserves to be recognized for a specific feature, design, or construction technique that was particularly innovative and/or well executed.Island Packet 486’s nav stationAny offshore navigator would love to call this nerve-center nav station home. There’s room to mount every imaginable electronic gadget, the varnished teak chart table is big enough to unfold a
This Jim Antrim–designed sportboat has innovative, well-executed features, achieves the difficult task of combining ease of handling and stability with sportboat performance, and is a gas to sail. The cockpit received high marks because the seats are wide, the stanchions angle outboard slightly to make it possible to use the lifelines as a comfortable backrest, the anti-skid is excellent, and
Over the past 10 years, Sabre has introduced a line of medium-displacement performance-oriented cruising boats ranging in size from 36 to 45 feet, all designed by Jim Taylor, that have been exceptionally well executed. We were not at all surprised, therefore, to find that Sabre and Taylor have again done a superb job of balancing performance, liveaboard comfort, and quality construction in a
This Swedish-built Judel/Vrolijk design impressed our judges with the quality of its hull and deck construction and dazzled them with gorgeous interior joinery work in satin-finish African mahogany. We loved the feel of the helm (“soft and supple, with just the right amount of feedback”) in 15 knots of true wind. The boat tracked well and gave a decent turn of speed (8.5 knots hard on the breeze
The Malo 41 has many of the same features that impressed us on the other Swedish boats we sailed—strong no-nonsense construction combined with lush mahogany interior joinery work—as well as a few unique twists of its own. For example, the distinctive traveler arch over the cockpit, long a Malo trademark (they call it their TARGA system), works very well, and its height can be
Many boats with “contemporary” styling, particularly those from Europe, tend to look amorphous, so it’s refreshing to see a new design with truly clean and elegant lines. Jeanneau’s latest addition to its long-lived Sun Odyssey line, drawn by Marc Lombard and Eric Levet, is just such a boat. The Sun Odyssey 35 demonstrates clearly that Jeanneau has not lost its identity since being acquired by
The J/109 is more than a high-performance boat with cruiser-friendly add-ons; it’s a well-conceived, well-executed dual-purpose boat that comes close to being all things to all sailors. Fast, easy to handle, stable, and spacious, the J/109 can serve as a competitive racer, comfortable cruiser, shorthanded daysailer, and a family weekender.The accommodations plan includes a proper nav
The Island Spirit 40, designed and built in South Africa, has many of the characteristics people look for in an offshore boat: solid construction, simple, robust, and accessible systems, safe and efficient sailhandling gear, a roomy interior, a manageable price, and good sailing performance.On deck we liked the mainsheet/traveler system and the good visibility over the coachroof from the
The Hallberg-Rassy 43, designed by German Frers, is a comfortable offshore cruiser from a well-respected Swedish builder. Hull and deck construction meet the high standards we have come to expect from Hallberg-Rassy, as does the excellent mahogany joinery down below. The interior accommodation includes many features we like to find on long-distance cruising boats: a well-positioned wet locker,
Bavaria Yachts builds over 1,000 boats each year, and the company’s fine-tuned mass-production techniques contribute to the Bavaria 32’s great price. But the 32 offers more than excellent value for money. We chose it because it has a sweet helm, clean lines, comfortable accommodations, and reasonable systems, all of which make it an enticing package.Good headroom and well-sized berths will
The early arrival of a backdoor cold front provides for some spicy sailing on Lake Erie.
Rule 30.4 in the Racing Rules of Sailing may be called the ”Black Flag Rule,” but it doesn’t have anything to do with pirates. What
By Lesley O’BrienIllustrated by Emmett DonovanOrange Kitty Kreative, $18.95 This is a fun new story about Marco, “a rough-around-the-edges former street cat turned sailboat captain.”
Pictou, Nova Scotia’s replica historic tall ship Hector relaunched this week after a lengthy refit.
An artfully unconventional build from Slovenia is designed for true bluewater sailors.
Alli Bell and her crew will receive the King Kalakaua trophy.
Bryon Ehrhart’s Juan K-designed 88-footer, Lucky, has won the Barn Door Trophy.
Without challenges we wither, and sailing serves them up regularly, making it the supreme teacher.
Another fuel pump failure leads to an engine rebuild, this time on the hook.
The fleet couldn’t have wished for better conditions at the start of the 363-mile ocean race.
